California League notebook: Sixers, Quakes feud calms down

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - When teams play each other as frequently as they do in the California League, there is the chance for bad blood.

Such was the case in Tuesday's Quakes-66ers game when emotions boiled over.

It essentially started in the third inning when Sixers outfielder Zach Borenstein hit a home run. Michael Snyder was then hit by a pitch, and he and Quakes pitcher Jon Michael Redding exchanged words.

"One of our guys hit a home run and he pimped it a little bit. We've talked to our guys about that," Sixers manager Bill Haselman admitted. "They hit one of our guys, and I don't have a problem with that. But I didn't like some of the things they said and we'll leave it at that."

Haselman, who was coaching third base at the time, exchanged words with Quakes hitting coach Johnny Washington, who remained in the dugout.

Washington was ejected, then suspended for Wednesday's game.

"We teach professionalism. Their guy hits a home run and he flips his bat," Quakes manager Carlos Subero said. "I don't know if he was showing us up, but that's the way we perceived it."

By Thursday, both managers downplayed the significance of Tuesday's events.

"We just want to go out and play ball," Subero said. "I don't think there's anything left over from that."

Said Haselman: "I had forgotten all about it that night."

Mount getting closer

Quakes third baseman Ryan Mount, who has been out since May 28 with a tendon injury in his foot, is getting closer to a return.

Subero said on Thursday that he hopes to have Mount back in a couple of weeks. He is not taking batting practice yet, but is "tracking pitches" and is fielding ground balls from his knees.

Bullpen woes

The Sixers' bullpen, which has been a strength of the team this season, is quite shorthanded at the moment.

Right-handers R.J. Alvarez and Michael Johnson are both currently unavailable with injuries. Haselman said both had similar injuries, tenderness in their sides.

"They should be back soon, and that will help a lot," Haselman said. "Also, (Eswarlin) Jimenez is closer and (Daniel) Tillman should be about a week away."

Jimenez and Tilman are both on the disabled list.

Improved second half

Entering Thursday's rubber game of the three-game series, the Quakes had won four consecutive series. It put them 5 games out of a playoff spot.

Not exactly in the picture, but not out of it either. The Sixers are in position to claim a wild-card spot.

"It's consistency," Subero said. "We're not having one or two good innings then the third one is bad. We're getting better command of the strike zone... We've been able to be more resilient."

The defense, while still the worst in the league, is improving, Subero said.

"The defense is getting better, but there's still room to learn more But you can't forget this this is still A ball," Subero said.